Atmore News has confirmed rumors that the Atmore Community Hospital Board and Escambia County Healthcare Authority have exercised a contractual option and will soon end their joint management agreement with Infirmary Health.
According to a letter issued jointly by ECHA Chair Ruth Harrell and ACHB Chair Nancy Lowery and addressed to hospital staff and physicians, the contract with Infirmary provides for a 365-day transition period in the event of cancellation by either party.
Hospital officials reportedly announced that the transition period will begin August 1, 2018.
Officials also announced plans to “start the process for a new healthcare facility for the Atmore community.” The new medical center will be located at Rivercane.
A six-month process to determine the size of facility that will be needed will be the first phase in the multi-stage plan to build the new hospital.
After the needed size is determined, local hospital governors will begin the process of obtaining a Certificate of Need. Once that has been obtained, construction on the new facility, which is expected to take about two years, can begin.
More details will be posted to this site and towww.atmorenews.com as they become available.